The Davao City Health Office welcomed 2017 with the launching of its year-round program against dengue, malaria, filaria, and zika viruses.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the chief of the CHO, said the campaign will be conducted on a daily basis until the entire 182 barangays in Davao is fully covered.

“As long as communities continue to implement the 4 o’clock habit of cleaning and drying up of stagnant waters and possible breeding grounds of mosquitos, there will be fewer cases of deadly mosquito-born diseases,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte’s office has also provided larvacides to areas marked with high incidents of dengue fever — particularly in Talomo South and Buhangin. A larvacide is a chemical used to prevent mosquito wrigglers from developing into adults.

District hospitals across the city are already equipped with rapid kits for dengue.

Villafuerte said the public is now more aware of the fight against deadly mosquito-borne diseases and are more actively participating in the drive to destroy mosquito breeding areas. CIO